Wade a candidate for UOP job

Charlie Wade, the associate head coach for the Hawaii women's volleyball team, is on the short list for the vacant head job at Pacific.

Wade returned to Hawaii from his interview and campus visit in Stockton, Calif., yesterday. He is among five finalists for the vacancy created when Jayne McHugh accepted reassignment within the UOP athletic department on Nov. 30.

"Charlie is one of the really outstanding coaches in the country and we are pleased to have him in our finalist group," Pacific athletic director Lynn King told the Star-Bulletin yesterday. "He is a tireless recruiter and an excellent floor coach.

"Our goals for Tiger women's volleyball are to provide our student-athletes with the best of educations and have them graduate; to win the Big West Conference championship; perform annually in a top 20-25 ranking; be competitive throughout the NCAA tournament and compete for the national championship. Charlie is that caliber of coach. He understands what it takes to perform at that level and he coaches at that level."

Wade was one of five candidates who had initial interviews with King during last month's final four in San Antonio.

Wade has spent the last 11 years with the Rainbow Wahine, five as an assistant and six as the associate head coach.

King said he expected to name a coach soon. According to one source, it could be as early as Monday.

Wade has not returned phone calls during the past two weeks. He did tell the Stockton Record on Dec. 27 that he would leave UH under the right circumstances.

"Pacific has been one of the best teams in the country, and it appears they want to continue to do that," Wade said in last month's interview with the Stockton paper. "I've always said I'll listen to any opportunity that came along, do whatever is going to be best for me and my family."